Shortly after the Grand Jury failed to indict him on both incidents in Austin, Benson signed a one-year, $520,000 contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on September 30, 2008. The Bengals' roster opened up after running back DeDe Dorsey was placed on injured reserve. He originally backed-up Chris Perry. [1]
, beginning his season in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, rushing 10 times for 30 yards. Cedric Benson became the starting back for the Bengals for the Week 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.[2]
Benson rushed 14 times for 52 yards in his first ever career start as a Bengal, and ran over Steelers safety Troy Polamalu during a rushing attempt, giving the pro-bowler a concussion. In the following 35-6 loss to the Houston Texans, he totaled 49 yards on 13 carries and had two receptions for 20 yards. The Bengals picked up their first victory of the season in a 21-19 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the win, Benson had 24 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown. Benson hit his stride in the Bengals' three-game winning streak at the end of the season, gashing the Washinton Redskins in week 15 with 161 all purpose yards, including 88 yards receiving (79 of which came on a screen pass). In week 16, Benson dominated the Cleveland Browns, rushing for 171 yards. In the final game of the season against Kansas City, Benson had 130 all-purpose yards, including 111 yards on 25 carries. In the twelve games he was active during the 2008 season, Benson had 932 all-purpose yards, including 747 yards rushing and 185 yards receiving.
A free agent after the 2008 season, Benson visited with the Houston Texans before signing a two-year, $7 million contract with the Bengals on March 3, 2009. [17]
I still have faith. 
